Exit regrettable, JOC chief says

Japanese Olympic Committee President Tsunekazu Takeda said Thursday he is sorry to hear that Tokyo Gov. Naoki Inose is resigning over a money scandal, because he played a leading role in Tokyo’s successful bid to host the 2020 Olympics.

“We will keep close contact with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the central government so this development will not affect the setting up of the organizing committee and preparations for the games,” said Takeda in his statement.

The JOC has been requested to set up the organizing committee by Feb. 7.

Daichi Suzuki, a gold medalist in swimming at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and a top JOC board member, said, “The Tokyo governor is the face of the host city and the committee should have made a proper start.